University of Notre Dame Australia
Master of Physiotherapy
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Prepare for professional physiotherapy practice through evidence-based learning, clinical skills development and extensive clinical education across a range of healthcare settings.
Course overview
The Master of Physiotherapy from The University of Notre Dame Australia is designed for graduates with a relevant academic background who are seeking to become registered physiotherapists. Delivered on campus over two years full-time, the program combines evidence-based learning with clinical education to prepare students for contemporary physiotherapy practice.
Throughout the program, you will develop knowledge and skills in musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, clinical assessment, clinical reasoning, rehabilitation, evidence-based practice, professional communication and ethical practice. Learning is reinforced through approximately 750 hours of clinical practicum, supported by simulation-based learning and clinical placements across hospitals, physiotherapy practices and community health settings in metropolitan and rural environments.
Accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council, the program provides a recognised pathway to registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), preparing graduates for professional physiotherapy practice in Australia and New Zealand.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
Fremantle
What you will study
To earn the Master of Physiotherapy, you must successfully complete units totalling 600 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 25 credit points.
Core units
- Fundamentals for Physiotherapy
- The Silent History
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral I)
- Applied Neuroscience
- Principles of Clinical Rehabilitation
- Evidence Based Practice
- Clinical Education I and Practitioner Preparation
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences I
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral II)
- Physiotherapy across the Lifespan I
- Psychosocial Determinants of Health and Well-being
- Clinical Education II
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal I)
- Rehabilitation for the Neurosciences
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences II
- Professional and Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice 1
- Physiotherapy across the Lifespan II
- Clinical Education III, Practitioner Development and Professional Issues (50 credit points)
- Ethical Issues in Professional Life
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal II)
- Physiotherapy across the Lifespan III
- Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice II and Clinical Education IV (50 credit points)
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission, all applicants must meet the University of Notre Dame Australia’s minimum requirements for admission to postgraduate programs.
Specific Program Requirements for Admission
To be eligible for admission to the program, an applicant must meet one of the following requirements:
- A Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science with a minimum GPA of 2.5; or
- A Bachelor of Science with a major or specialisation in Exercise and Sports Science, with a minimum GPA of 2.5; or
- Any Bachelor's degree* with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and which includes assessed studies in the following specific areas:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Human Pathophysiology
- Inherent requirements that are listed in the University's Program Requirements.
*Applicants must have completed two semesters of Human Anatomy and one semester of Pathophysiology
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Master's of Physiotherapy, graduates will be able to:
- Apply advanced verbal and written communication skills with clients, families, carers and service providers.
- Practice professional and ethical behaviour, demonstrating respect and sensitivity to clients with diverse social, cultural and spiritual beliefs.
- Autonomously apply critical reflection and expert judgement to identify limitations in knowledge, skills and abilities to plan and implement lifelong learning strategies.
- Synthesise complex information when accessing and integrating the best evidence into physiotherapy practice.
- Apply advanced and integrated knowledge and skills to practice safe, effective entry-level physiotherapy across various settings.
- Employ critical analysis and expert judgement to formulate effective, efficient, adaptable physiotherapy practice.
- Develop and communicate physiotherapy-based health promotion and collaborative management strategies to empower clients to participate in healthcare decisions and behaviours.
- Contribute to healthcare delivery through culturally safe, effective inter-professional communication, advocacy and practice.
Career outcomes
Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public health sectors. Career opportunities range from working in physiotherapy practices, hospitals or community health settings in urban and rural locations in aged care, cardiorespiratory, disability, musculoskeletal, neurology, paediatrics, rehabilitation, research, clinical and/or academic teaching.
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $28,608 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.